The CURE for Your Vocation

Alumnus and LGBT Activist Guy Kinman, Jr. (M.Div. 1943) Honored for His Work

12.21.2010 by Grayson Van Camp

As Chair of the Richmond Virginia Gay and Lesbian Alliance, Kinman was the creator of The Billboard Project. "Someone You Know is Gay . . . Maybe Someone You Love."

The Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR) in partnership with the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) has created the “Guy Kinman Research Award” to support work on such topics as LGBT studies, civil rights, and First Amendment issues.

At a reception on October 13, 2010, GCCR) honored Guy Kinman, Jr., a long-time activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) rights, by announcing its new partnership with the Virginia Historical Society (VHS). The GCCR granted the VHS money for the creation of the Guy Kinman Research Award, which will promote new historical scholarship on LGBT issues.

The Guy Kinman Research Award will help raise awareness of the existing collection of LGBT materials at the VHS and increase research on this important topic in Virginia's history.

Since the 1980s, Kinman, an openly gay retired army chaplain, has been an active leader in the Richmond LGBT community.. In 1987 he became the chair of the Richmond Virginia Gay and Lesbian Alliance and initiated "The Billboard Project," a program aimed at raising awareness and respect for LGBT individuals. At the age of 92, Kinman continues his work advocating for LGBT rights.